Tory and Bradley’s St. Pete Beach wedding featured tropical notes and vibrant prints along with a laid-back beachy vibe.
“I wanted the wedding to be bright. The wedding theme/inspiration was Lilly Pulitzer. I wear a lot of Lilly and hardly own any plain black or white pieces so I felt this truly represented me. Our colors basically included every color: pink, blue, greens, purple, orange, yellow – you name it! Bonus, it looked great on the beach,” the bride beamed.
The Orlando couple wanted an all-inclusive relaxed beach venue to allow their 70 guests to enjoy the entire February wedding weekend.
“I have always wanted to get married on the beach. As we would have most people travel anyway, we picked a location that we thought would be nice for a weekend getaway. I wanted the focus for everyone to be to have fun, just a great party on the beach with a band,” the bride shared. “Postcard Inn on the Beach stood out as there was a space on the beach that was easy to block off to do the ceremony. Additionally, they had the reception space right there. I loved the idea of putting the dance floor on the beach and having the tiki hut be the dining area. I loved that all of our guests could come for the weekend stay right on property and walk down to the ceremony and reception when it was time. Everything was so close and together so no one had to worry about transportation; it made it so easy.”
By hosting everything at one location, the bride and groom had more time for portraits, including the epic sunset as a backdrop.
“I loved that between the ceremony and reception we had some time to take husband and wife photos on the beach,” Tory gushed. “We had the perfect sunset, and the photos were stunning.”
The bride selected an elegant braided updo to pair with her classic makeup look, and for the overall look of her bridal party, Tory had a very specific vision.
“Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was so easy to work with and wanted me to feel beautiful above all. When I had my first trial, I loved that I could honestly give feedback. I loved Ayla, who did my trial. She was just great to talk to and made me very comfortable with being able to give feedback and wanted to see how different things looked,” the bride shared. “The bridesmaids all picked out their own dresses, the only requirement was Lilly Pulitzer prints!”
Looking back, one of the bride’s favorite memories included the emotion showcased by the groom, which Tory had a visible reaction to.
“My favorite moment of the ceremony was when Brad was saying his vows. He was so serious and I could hear how nervous he was, and I couldn’t stop laughing,” the bride revealed. “During the reception, there were some great memories of everyone dancing. I think we even managed to surprise our planner with needing the bigger dance floor because everyone danced the majority of the night.”
What did you look for in a wedding hair and makeup artist?
When I had my first trial, I loved that I could honestly give feedback. Femme Akoi Beauty Studio was so easy to work with and wanted me to feel beautiful above all.
I loved Ayla, who did my trial. She was just great to talk to and made me very comfortable with being able to give feedback and wanted to see how different things looked.
The Proposal:
Brad and I were taking a road trip down the Pacific Coast Highway for about 10 days in November. We were actually on our last day in Laguna Beach. We had walked down along the water, and you can actually walk out into it on these rocks. I was taking some photos and turned around, and Brad got on one knee and asked me to marry him.
What did you look for in a wedding venue?
Our wedding planner and I looked at several venues on the beach. Postcard Inn on the Beach stood out as there was a space on the beach that was easy to block off to do the ceremony. Additionally, they had the reception space right there. I loved that all of our guests could come for the weekend stay right on property and walk down to the ceremony and reception when it was time. It made it so easy.
I loved the idea of putting the dance floor on the beach and having the tiki hut be the dining area. It was fun, had a nice laid-back vibe, and everything was so close and together so no one had to worry about transportation.
Where did you spend your honeymoon?
We spent our honeymoon at the Andaz in Maui, HI. While I had hoped to go somewhere a bit more abroad we were limited due to the pandemic. It was perfect though!
Where did you host your bachelorette party?
I had my bachelorette party in Siesta Key. When we were planning to do a bachelorette party COVID was a consideration. I wanted to be in a location we could enjoy being outdoors in January and wouldn’t risk being canceled.
How would you describe your theme/wedding design inspiration?
I wanted the wedding to be bright. The wedding theme/inspiration was Lilly Pulitzer. I wear a lot of Lilly and hardly own any plain black or white pieces so I felt this truly represented me. Bonus, it looked great on the beach!
What were your colors?
As I had a Lilly Pulitzer-themed wedding it basically included every color: pink, blue, greens, purple, orange, yellow – you name it!
Which vendors really exceeded your expectations?
My photographers, holy cow they did a great job! The videographer was also one of the nicest people to work with, he really went above and beyond to capture the perfect day. The band was also just perfect, I received so many compliments from the guest on how great they played.
What advice would you give to other Tampa Bay couples?
Hire a planner. I had an amazing wedding planner, and she made the process so easy. I didn’t do much in regards to planning, and she made sure I had the wedding of my dreams.
Enjoy the day, I may not have made the rounds but I really had a great time.
